WO2007138127A1 - Loading platform - Google Patents

Abstract

Loading platform, comprising two longitudinal members (1) and a series of intermediate cross-members (2) which are hinged to the longitudinal members at their extremities by means of individual pivots which extend below the extremities of each cross-member (2) and are inserted into pairs of transversely aligned openings provided in the longitudinal members (1).

Description

LOADING PLATFORM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a loading platform, composed of two parallel stringers and a series of intermediate crossbars.

The loading platform of the invention is specially designed, although not exclusively, for the transport and storage of flexible wall containers, generally used for the transport of bulk products.

Background of the invention

The traditional loading platforms in which the set of stringers and crossbars form a rigid structure, are not suitable for supporting flexible wall containers which tend to adopt a rounded configuration in their support base, which makes their position, both on the platform as in the stack on it, it may be relatively unstable.

In order to overcome this problem, loading platforms or supports are known, consisting of a flexible laminar piece and a rigidifying peripheral reinforcement, composed of at least two stringers between which the flexible sheet is fixed through two of the opposite edges. In this regard, utility model 200401750 of the same applicants can be cited.

This type of platform presents the problem that the container to be transported rests on the ground, separated from it only by the flexible sheet of the platform, which may pose a risk for the transport of certain types of products, for example if it is of food products. Description of the invention

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the exposed problems, by means of a platform constituted so that, on the one hand, a good adaptation to the bottom

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) of flexible wall containers, and on the other, isolate and separate the bottom of the container from the floor so that the risk of contamination of the transported product is eliminated.

In addition, the platform of the invention can be easily assembled and disassembled, without the need for auxiliary joining or fixing elements. For storage and empty transport, the platform can be disassembled or armed, in a stable stacked position.

The platform of the invention is of the initially exposed type, consisting of two parallel stringers and a series of intermediate crossbars. In the platform of the invention the stringers and crossbars constitute independent elements, the crossbars being articulated by their ends to the stringers. For this, the stringers have, from their opposite sides, protruding lugs that are transversely aligned in pairs on both stringers and have an approximately vertical hole each. On the other hand, the crossbars have at their ends two lower pivots that can be introduced through the holes of each pair of transversely aligned lugs, thus leaving the crossbars articulated to the stringers.

In order that the connection between crossbars and stringers cannot be released or released freely, the two pivots of each crossbar are arched inwards and converge with each other. In addition, the holes and pivots form complementary annular seats which, when the pivots are fully inserted into the holes, said seats support each other by tilting the stringers upwardly on the internal side, which causes a certain elevation of the crossbars, with respect to the support plane defined by the stringers.

With this constitution a stable assembly is achieved, because due to the inclination and arc of the crossbars pivots and the seat between pivots and holes of the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) stringers it is achieved that, once the pivots have been introduced through the holes of the lugs of the stringers, a secure assembly is obtained, which prevents the accidental separation of some and other components. On the other hand, due to the effect of transverse inclination of the stringers, it is achieved that the crossbars remain elevated with respect to the support surface of the assembly, that is to say that the stringers are elevated from the ground, forming a structure that will elastically deform by the effect of the supported load, deformation that will cause the sinking of the crossbars until they rest on the support surface, either on the ground or on another stacked container. This circumstance allows the platforms to adapt perfectly to the bottom of the flexible wall containers.

The lugs of the stringers and crossbars are located below the upper surface of the stringers, so that placing a container on a platform will not hinder its deformation, to adapt to the bottom of the container.

The crossbars have a cross section of less height than the stringers and are finished off at lower portions of lower height, from which the pivots protrude inferiorly. The height of the section of the stringers, except in its extreme sections, will be sufficient so that when the platform supports a load and is in a deformed situation, supporting the crossbars on the ground, the container is isolated from it, thus preventing the Product content could suffer any contamination. The platform of the invention is stackable, successively supporting the stringers together. For this position to be stable, these stringers have on their upper and lower surface of holes and pivotable and attachable pivots, when several platforms overlap or stack. To facilitate the handling of the platform, the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) beams will consist of tubular profiles, through which the arms of conveyor trucks can be introduced. In addition, the profiles will be provided in their upper and lower walls with openings for the exit of support wheels from the arms, for example belonging to trucks of the type called "pallet trucks", 'with wheels in their arms. Brief description of the drawings

All the features and advantages set forth, as well as other features of the invention, can be better understood with the following description, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which a non-limiting embodiment example is shown. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a loading platform constituted according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a top floor of the platform of Figure 1.

The figure is a front elevation of the same platform.

Figure 4 shows in perspective one of the stringers that become part of the platform.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of one of the platform crossings. Figure 6 shows in perspective the connection or joint detail between a crossbar and a crossbar.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, with the crossbar and crossbar end removed.

Figure 8 is a bottom perspective of the connection of Figure 6 between a crossbar and crossbar.

Figure 1 shows a platform that is constituted by two parallel stringers, referenced with the number 1, and by a series of intermediate crossbars 2.

Each of the stringers 1, as seen in Figure 4, is constituted by a tubular sectional profile.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) approximately trapecial, topped at end heads 3 of greater contour, protruding superiorly and internally with respect to the trapezoidal section, as shown in Figure 3. From the inner wall of the stringers 1, which corresponds to the smaller side of the trapezoidal section, they protrude lugs 4 facing each other on the two stringers, each of them having a through hole of substantially vertical tracing.

The stringers 1 also have in their upper and lower walls of openings 5. In the heads 3 the stringers have an upper pivot 6 and a lower hole 7, facing each other if two or more platforms are placed in a stacked position, to ensure this position.

The crossbars 2 constitute independent parts of the stringers 1 and as can be seen in Figure 5, they are provided at their pivot ends 8 which are inclined inwards and converge slightly with each other. These pivots are of increasing section towards their start, where they form a complementary seat 9 with a seat 10 of the holes 11 of the lugs 4, as shown in Figure 7.

With the constitution mentioned, for the assembly of the platform, the pivots 8 of each crossbar 2 are introduced in each pair of holes 11 corresponding to lugs 4 transversely aligned in the stringers 1, obtaining the structure of Figures 1 to 3.

As can be seen in Figure 3, when assembling the platform the stringers 1 are slightly turned in the direction of the arrows A, which causes the crossings 2 to rise in relation to the support surface defined by the external longitudinal edges 12 of the stringers 1.

In figure 7 the end of a crossbar to a crossbar for mounting the corresponding pivot 8 in the hole 11 of one of the ends is shown in approximation.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) lugs, until the seat 9 of the pivot rests on the seat 10 of the hole 11, both elements being connected as seen in Figures 6 and 8.

As can be seen in the drawings, the lugs 4 are approximately mid-height with respect to the stringers 1, so that when the platform is mounted the crossbars 2 are not only separated from the support surface of said platform, but also slightly recessed with respect to the upper handle of the stringers 1, thus facilitating their adaptation to the bottom of flexible wall containers.

The crossbars 2 have a section of smaller height than the stringers 1 and they are also finished off in extreme portions of smaller height, of which the pivots 8 protrude. When a container is placed on the platform of the invention, the weight of the container will cause rotation of the stringers 1 in the direction of the arrows B of Figure 3, until they occupy the position of Fig. 3 ^a , in which the stringers 1 rest on the ground through their lower base and the crossbars 2 are also supported on the ground, determining a stable base of support of a flexible wall container 13. In this position the bottom of the container 13 is separated from the ground by the height of the crossings 2. As soon as the platform is unloaded, it will recover the position of Figure 3 due to the elastic deformation initially produced by the effect of the load, both on the crossbars 2 as on the connection or articulation elements between crossbars and stringers. As indicated above, the tubular structure of the stringers 1 with the windows or openings 5, allows the handling of the platform by means of trucks of the type called "pallet trucks" with wheels on the arms.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

1.- Loading platform, consisting of two parallel stringers and a series of intermediate crossbars, characterized in that the crossbars are articulated by their ends to the stringers, by means of two pivots that protrude inferiorly from the ends of each crossbar and are introduced in pairs of transversely aligned holes that the stringers have; whose holes are located in lugs that protrude from the stringers, from their opposite sides, transversely aligned in pairs on the two stringers; and whose pivots are arched inward and convergent with each other in each crossbar; forming the holes and pivots mentioned complementary annular seats which, when fully introducing the pivots in the holes, support each other and tilt the beams transversely upwardly from the inner side, causing a certain elevation of the crossbars, with respect to the defined support plane by the stringers; forming the stringers and crossbars mounted a structure that deforms elastically by default of the supported load, until the crossbars rest on the lower support surface defined by the lower base of said crossbars. 2. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that said lugs and crossbars are located below the upper surface of the stringers. 3. Platform according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the crosspieces have a lower cross-section than the stringers. 4. Platform according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the crosspieces have lower end portions, of which the pivots protrude inferiorly. 5.- Platform according to claim 1, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) characterized in that the stringers have on their upper and lower surface of holes and pivots that are facing and attachable by superimposing or stacking two or more platforms. 6. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the stringers are constituted by tubular profiles, through which the arms of conveyor trucks can be introduced, said profiles being arranged in their upper and lower walls of openings for the exit of wheels of support of these arms. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)